03-14-2018, 07:34 AM
I think most can agree that the Glenn trade was as 'blockbuster' of a trade as one can get for our Bengals, but it actually was and it filled a great need. I'm not sure if they are willing to do what is necessary and free up some more cap space by letting LaFell and MJ walk, but they've proven most of us wrong about a lot already and its not even officially Free Agency yet. The next 2 weeks, the Bengals will speak for themselves.
Couple things I would like to mention:
The d-line doesn't look that bad, I'm not saying it can't be improved through the draft, but it also doesn't look as bad as the other side of the ball... Chris Baker may be the next Chris Smith. I am hopeful and expect to see a more improved run defense in 2018-2019. I'm giving Austin the benefit of the doubt to get this fixed.
Tight End is a question mark. In recent years we clearly have wanted two solid TE's like the Patriots have had, but with the likely departure of Eifert, we have another glaring hole on offense. Don't be shocked to see us look at TE early on. I am a huge fan of Kroft and personally don't see TE as a huge need right now compared to some other positions, but the Bengals may see it differently and to be honest, we don't have any real weapons outside of AJ. Maybe Gio.
Safety. One of the biggest things the Bengals could do to get me pumped is draft a REAL safety. Stop with the late round projects. We need an Ed Reed in here to help cause more turnovers. That or bring old man Nelson back, that alone would be an improvement. Maybe they shock us again and sign someone in Free Agency to replace Williams. Iloka isn't bad when he has a true safety to compliment him (Nelson).
Mock Draft:
1. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
The dark horse not too many people bring up, but with Eifert on the way out most likely and an amazing combine by Gesicki, I could see us pulling the trigger on him or another TE in the first or second round.
Mike has the measurables, the speed and the attitude to be the next best TE in the NFL. Might be better than a healthy Eifert. Andy needs more options than just Green and... Kroft? LaFell? Boyd? Ross? Too many question marks for a QB who thrives off of a supporting cast. He's no Tom Brady folks. Andy needs real weapons.
2. Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State
Slid due to combine "injury"/ mishap on bench. Kid plays with heart and would be an immediate starter day one. Goodbye Bodine! Price is supposed to be ready be start of training camp. A true steal if he slides this far.
3a. Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
Word on the street is Andre Smith is no longer in the Bengals Free Agency plans. Look for us to go after another OT early in the draft.
Jones is a serviceable pass/run blocking OT. If he lives up to his draft status that would be an upgrade automatically over what we have now.
3b. DeShon Elliot, S, Texas
With Iloka being an average safety and Williams being below average, the Bengals should look at safety sometime early on in the draft.
Elliot had a breakout season in 2017 and had 6 interceptions making him one of the biggest ball hawks in this draft class which is what Austin is looking for.
4. Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa
We need LB help. Maybe a little late in the draft now to be looking for immediate impact, but then we look back at Peko, Atkins and Lawson... All round 4 picks.
Josey has great instincts for the ball and can lay the smack down if he catches you in open field. 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss , 2 interceptions and one forced fumble in 2017.
5a. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Before anyone blasts me for projecting Rudolph this late, you're probably the same people who thought McCarron was going to be a hot commodity in Free Agency. Am I right? Point being, there are simply not enough teams starving for a QB this offseason. Who do we got? The Jets, Bills, maybe the Dolphins, maybe the Browns, Cardinals, maybe the Giants and hell, I'll even throw the Saints, Chargers and Steelers in there as big maybes looking for future successors at QB. This QB class is HUGE. I just don't see enough hungry teams with still a few options left in Free Agency. You know Philly could ship out Nick Foles to one of these teams mentioned above any day now too. A good QB will fall because the demand isn't as high as people may think.
With that said, Mason looks good. There are a lot of mixed reviews on him from the combine. He interviewed well, but you have some teams calling him a second day pick while others are labeling him a 5th round pick. He'll need time to learn behind a veteran QB, he's not a plug and play starter QB, but with time he could be great.
5b. Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
Another steal from Oklahoma State. Projected to be a mid to late round pick.
This kid can ball, YAC in 2017 was around 19.4 with 59 catches fro 1,156 yeards and 8 TD's. He's a big target that isn't afraid to go up after the catch, if he's here we should take him.
5c. Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
Great pass rusher, statistically he had a great year in 2017, but some believe he just had an amazing supporting front 7 (which he did), but this is one of those boom or bust picks. I think with time he can be atl east a serviceable back up end.
7a. BPA
7b. BPA
7c. BPA
Couple things I would like to mention:
The d-line doesn't look that bad, I'm not saying it can't be improved through the draft, but it also doesn't look as bad as the other side of the ball... Chris Baker may be the next Chris Smith. I am hopeful and expect to see a more improved run defense in 2018-2019. I'm giving Austin the benefit of the doubt to get this fixed.
Tight End is a question mark. In recent years we clearly have wanted two solid TE's like the Patriots have had, but with the likely departure of Eifert, we have another glaring hole on offense. Don't be shocked to see us look at TE early on. I am a huge fan of Kroft and personally don't see TE as a huge need right now compared to some other positions, but the Bengals may see it differently and to be honest, we don't have any real weapons outside of AJ. Maybe Gio.
Safety. One of the biggest things the Bengals could do to get me pumped is draft a REAL safety. Stop with the late round projects. We need an Ed Reed in here to help cause more turnovers. That or bring old man Nelson back, that alone would be an improvement. Maybe they shock us again and sign someone in Free Agency to replace Williams. Iloka isn't bad when he has a true safety to compliment him (Nelson).
Mock Draft:
1. Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State
The dark horse not too many people bring up, but with Eifert on the way out most likely and an amazing combine by Gesicki, I could see us pulling the trigger on him or another TE in the first or second round.
Mike has the measurables, the speed and the attitude to be the next best TE in the NFL. Might be better than a healthy Eifert. Andy needs more options than just Green and... Kroft? LaFell? Boyd? Ross? Too many question marks for a QB who thrives off of a supporting cast. He's no Tom Brady folks. Andy needs real weapons.
2. Billy Price, G/C, Ohio State
Slid due to combine "injury"/ mishap on bench. Kid plays with heart and would be an immediate starter day one. Goodbye Bodine! Price is supposed to be ready be start of training camp. A true steal if he slides this far.
3a. Jamarco Jones, OT, Ohio State
Word on the street is Andre Smith is no longer in the Bengals Free Agency plans. Look for us to go after another OT early in the draft.
Jones is a serviceable pass/run blocking OT. If he lives up to his draft status that would be an upgrade automatically over what we have now.
3b. DeShon Elliot, S, Texas
With Iloka being an average safety and Williams being below average, the Bengals should look at safety sometime early on in the draft.
Elliot had a breakout season in 2017 and had 6 interceptions making him one of the biggest ball hawks in this draft class which is what Austin is looking for.
4. Josey Jewell, ILB, Iowa
We need LB help. Maybe a little late in the draft now to be looking for immediate impact, but then we look back at Peko, Atkins and Lawson... All round 4 picks.
Josey has great instincts for the ball and can lay the smack down if he catches you in open field. 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss , 2 interceptions and one forced fumble in 2017.
5a. Mason Rudolph, QB, Oklahoma State
Before anyone blasts me for projecting Rudolph this late, you're probably the same people who thought McCarron was going to be a hot commodity in Free Agency. Am I right? Point being, there are simply not enough teams starving for a QB this offseason. Who do we got? The Jets, Bills, maybe the Dolphins, maybe the Browns, Cardinals, maybe the Giants and hell, I'll even throw the Saints, Chargers and Steelers in there as big maybes looking for future successors at QB. This QB class is HUGE. I just don't see enough hungry teams with still a few options left in Free Agency. You know Philly could ship out Nick Foles to one of these teams mentioned above any day now too. A good QB will fall because the demand isn't as high as people may think.
With that said, Mason looks good. There are a lot of mixed reviews on him from the combine. He interviewed well, but you have some teams calling him a second day pick while others are labeling him a 5th round pick. He'll need time to learn behind a veteran QB, he's not a plug and play starter QB, but with time he could be great.
5b. Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
Another steal from Oklahoma State. Projected to be a mid to late round pick.
This kid can ball, YAC in 2017 was around 19.4 with 59 catches fro 1,156 yeards and 8 TD's. He's a big target that isn't afraid to go up after the catch, if he's here we should take him.
5c. Tyquan Lewis, DE, Ohio State
Great pass rusher, statistically he had a great year in 2017, but some believe he just had an amazing supporting front 7 (which he did), but this is one of those boom or bust picks. I think with time he can be atl east a serviceable back up end.
7a. BPA
7b. BPA
7c. BPA
"Whose kitty litter did I just s*** in?"
"He got Ajax from the dish soap!"
"He got Ajax from the dish soap!"
